Dining Beyond Zone 1: Brouge (5 Hill Street, TW9 1SX)

Welcome to Dining Beyond Zone 1, a new series of restaurant reviews dedicated to seeking out quality local places to dine beyond the frenzy of Central London!

With so many riverside food and drink options in well heeled Richmond, we’d be hard pressed to suggest this new-ish Belgian bistro as our first local recommendation. Still, the food’s solid, the service is speedy and the prices are right. Brouge is an atmospheric restaurant right round the corner from the river and just a short walk from Richmond Station. On a rainy day, Brouge would be as good as any of Richmond’s eateries. And come winter, Brouge’s homemade steak, mushroom and Belgian ale pie (£9.95) would make a most satisfying (and very filling) meal. Other items on the menu, such as the Scottish poached salmon and smoked salmon terrine topped with lemon prawns (£6.25) or the honey spiced lambiek beer ribs with chilli and spring onions (£5.95), are certainly suitable for summer dining. As for a big pot of moules (around £11 a with side of tasty frites), well, that would be awesome just about any time of the year. Desserts at Brouge are good too. The cinnamon Belgian waffle with whipped cream and caramel sauce (£5.25) is a treat.

On our visit last night, families, tourists and dudes out to sample Brouge’s excellent Belgian beer menu (we very much approved of the half pint of Steenebrugge Brune we had for £2.75 during our meal) all seemed happy with their experience here. Keeping with the good cheer, we’re glad to say Brouge is a good one to keep in mind for locals and folks out for a day in Richmond.

Brouge is located at 5 Hill Street in Richmond (TW9 1SX). Visit brouge.co.uk for more information.